Benthic Biodiversity of seamounts in the southwest Indian Ocean
Lead Research Organisation:
Scottish Association For Marine Science
Department Name: Contracts Office
Abstract
Benthic biodiversity of seamounts in the southwest Indian Ocean Seamounts are centres of biological diversity and are ecological hotspots in the deep ocean but their inaccessibility poses major challenges for research. In consequence, there are conspicuous sampling gaps of which the equatorial regions and most of the Indian Ocean are the most extensive. The southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) is a major geological feature which extends from the central Indian Ocean to join the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Southern Ocean. It is rich in seamounts and supports a productive deep-water fishery yet, in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, it is one of the least sampled regions of the global ocean. We propose to study the diversity and distribution of benthic assemblages, from meiofauna to megafauna, on seamounts in the central section of the SWIR between 41 degrees S 42 degrees E and 33 degrees S 58 degrees E. The benthos of this region is completely unstudied and is of particular interest in terms of its position in relation to major ocean currents, gradients of primary productivity, and recent predictions as to the global distribution of cold-water corals. The region may be regarded as the most significant gap in our understanding of the seamount fauna globally. By studying the associations between faunal assemblages and habitat types, the genetic relatedness of populations, and the relationships between surface productivity, currents, and benthic distributions, we will enhance understanding of the processes governing the distribution, abundance, diversity and evolution of fauna on oceanic seamounts. A new habitat-suitability model based on environmental niche factor analysis (ENFA) has predicted that hard substrata in the southern Indian Ocean, down to ca. 2,500 m, are prime habitats for cold-water scleractinian corals. We propose to test these predictions by comparing the distributions and abundances of coral species across the study area with modelled distributions. Confirmation of the model predictions would lend support to recent concerns that increases in anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions are likely to cause range shifts in calcareous marine organisms. A recent initiative from the deep-sea fishing industry working with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has proposed a number of voluntary benthic protected areas (BPAs) on the SWIR in which no bottom trawling will take place: three of these are within the proposed study area. This is an unprecedented event in international waters and presents a unique opportunity to study the effectiveness of BPAs in protecting deep-sea habitats and species in the high seas. Detailed information on fishing effort at the study sites, available through industry collaboration, will allow us to assess the effects of trawling on slow-growing deep-sea benthic assemblages, and to gather baseline information against which the process of recovery following cessation of fisheries can be assessed.
Publications
Howell K
(2020)
A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Howell KL
(2021)
A decade to study deep-sea life.
in Nature ecology & evolution
Narayanaswamy B
(2017)
What lies within; Annelid polychaetes found in micro-habitats of coral/carbonate material from SW Indian ocean seamounts
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Serpetti N
(2017)
Ecological adaptations and commensal evolution of the Polynoidae (Polychaeta) in the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge: A phylogenetic approach
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Woodall L
(2015)
Deep-sea litter: a comparison of seamounts, banks and a ridge in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans reveals both environmental and anthropogenic factors impact accumulation and composition
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Woodall LC
(2014)
The deep sea is a major sink for microplastic debris.
in Royal Society open science
Title | Deep-sea Collection - |
Description | A local designer with a keen interest in marine science has developed a deep-sea collection using images of the specimens that were collected on the expedition. The images have been printed on to silk scarves and were exhibited at a small fashion show. The full launch will take place in Autumn 2019 |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | The scarves with the deep-sea animals on them were showcased at a small fashion show at the Satchi Gallery in London. The products will be fully launched in Autumn 2019 |
URL | https://www.crubag.co.uk/ |
Description | The diversity of the smaller sized fauna (>0.25mm - ~2cm) was much higher than expected. The biodiversity varies across the different seamounts, but at present does not appear to be directly correlated to productivity. Instead biodiversity may be linked to habitat heterogeneity - the more habitat types there are the more species we are finding. The habitat type also appears to influence the type of fauna that we are seeing with striking differences in the composition at phyla level (i.e. more polychaete worms in some habitats, whilst in others crustaceans dominate). We have also found that there is a hidden diversity of fauna living inside coral/carbonate skeletons which was somewhat unexpected. The older, and therefore "softer" the coral/carbonate the more fauna found living inside. This also appears not to be related to the productivity gradient across the seamounts. Potentially many new species have been found and we have been using molecular techniques to clarify this. |
Exploitation Route | Final results may be used by other: Scientists studying seamount ecology, genetics, connectivity, impact of fishing, litter to name but a few. Those working on policy and law - the seamounts studied here are in an area outside of any country's National Jurisdiction, i.e. they are on the High Seas. All the seamounts may be considered in the future as Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA's), two have already started the process and have been accepted for the next round of discussion. These seamounts are also in an area where countries are interested in mineral exploitation and licences have already been granted in the region. Many scientists, policy makers, environmental lawyers will undoubtedly work together in the future in order to try and ensure that the fragile habitats found on the seamounts are not completely destroyed. |
Sectors | Education Environment Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Other |
Description | we are looking to see how the findings may be used in a wider context - we are now using these results in a new GCRF funded One Ocean Hub project |
Sector | Education,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | GCRF One Ocean Hub |
Amount | £20,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/S008950/1 |
Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
Description | MASTS Deep-Sea Forum smalll grant scheme |
Amount | £993 (GBP) |
Organisation | Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2014 |
End | 11/2015 |
Description | MASTS smalll grant scheme |
Amount | £500 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MASTS SG41 |
Organisation | Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2012 |
End | 11/2012 |
Description | SAMS Small grant scheme |
Amount | £1,981 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Association For Marine Science |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 03/2013 |
Description | British Science Festival - Newcastle |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Arts/education outreach event Greater interest by children in science |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Deep Sea Halloween - Careers Fair |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | To raise awareness and interest of the deep-sea to school children - especially those choosing subjects that will influecne their future univeristy degree choice. Greater interest |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Deep Sea Halloween Open Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Almost 100 people attended raising interest and awareness of the deep-sea. The realisation that litter can be found a long way into the oceans |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Deep-Sea Halloween Nursery Visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | To raise interest in nursery aged children (3-5) about the deep-sea, the animals found living there. A slide show was followed by looking at animals from the deep as well as making their own animals. Nursery children wanting to see a real ROV and thinking it "cool that Mum's could be scientists and work with underwater robots!" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2013 |
Description | Deep-Sea Halloween Schools Visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | ~50 pupils attended a halloween event aimed at stimulating interest in the deep-sea and the animals found living on seamounts. Science and arts were combined to make it more memorable More visits by children to the OEC centre at SAMS |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | INDEEP - ONC meeting (Vancouver Island) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Interest raised in the issues of sampling on a seamounts Colleagues from other Institutes expressed interest in visiting SAMS to work out future projects & collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.oceannetworks.ca/science/getting-involved/workshops/onc-indeep-partnership-development-wo... |
Description | Mountains of the deep - High Schools visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Presentation given to High School students Some students showed greater interest in science and the deep sea |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | NERC - Planet Earth |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | The article was a mixture of deep-water biodiversity reasearch undertaken by B Narayanaswamy Raised awareness in NERC/SISB about issues regarding marine biodiversity research within the UK |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Open Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Lab open day Greater interest and requests for more visits |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Open Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Event took place at the Oban Highland Games Raised lots of awareness of the deep-sea |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | SAMS Seminar Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Seminar on: Discoveries made along the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge: including new results investigating the microbial community structure and ecology Bhavani E Narayanaswamy, Anni Djhuruus and Natalia Serpetiit Potentially greater collaboration between SAMS & Oxford |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Schools visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Raise interest and awareness of underwater mountains in the deep sea Combined slide show, physical specimens and arts & craft greater awareness adn interest and wanting to come back to OEC |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |